Category: style

Stars & Ruffles

Dress, Banana Republic (swap); belt, Holt Renfrew (via consignment); cardigan, J. Crew (via consignment); boots, Bandolino (thrifted)
Dress, Banana Republic (swap); belt, Holt Renfrew (via consignment); cardigan, J. Crew (via consignment); boots, Bandolino (thrifted)

Remember this dress? You may not, since I wore it, half-covered up, as a skirt last time. But here it is, in all its glory. It’s a pretty cute dress, ruffles and all. I ended up adding a cami underneath because it’s quite low cut, and I was going to a 3-year old’s birthday party – no need to scare the young ones, haha!

outfit on the cheap
outfit on the cheap
stars or paint drips?
stars or paint drips?

This was a great example of one of my fave kinds of outfits: an inexpensive one, of course. Altogether, it cost under $75 – including accessories – through a combination of swapped, thrifted, and consignment pieces. The belt was actually the most expensive item: a made in Italy, braided leather Holt Renfrew branded belt ($30). Not bad at all.

the 80s called and want their side-swept hair back? too bad
the 80s called and want their side-swept hair back? too bad

I Made This

Sweater, J. Crew; top, Joe Fresh; pants, Gap (via consignment); shoes, Stuart Weitzman (via consignment); bag, MbMJ
Sweater, J. Crew; top, Joe Fresh; pants, Gap (via consignment); shoes, Stuart Weitzman (via consignment); bag, MbMJ

No, not the outfit. (Well, I put the outfit together, but I didn’t actually *make* it, hah.) I made this:

beaded butterfly
beaded butterfly
front and back
front and back

Beading is my knitting – totally therapeutic when I’m going through stressful times. I don’t know how I ended up going with this butterfly design, but I’m glad I did, because it might just be my fave beading project ever. I loved it so much, I made a couple of extra butterflies to give away as Christmas presents.

burgundy love
burgundy love

I also quite loved the rest of the outfit, which I wore on my last work day before the Christmas holidays. It was definitely on the casual side but … it was almost Christmas, after all, and somewhat more stylish than an ugly Xmas sweater (which a few people wore – score one for holiday spirit). I have been battling a bad cold and some personal issues for a few weeks now, so I haven’t been feeling so hot lately, but wearing my fave sweatshirt always cheers me up a bit.

not feeling so hot ...
not feeling so hot …
getting through it
getting through it

Grey x Grey x 2

Pants, BR; sweater, Ralph Lauren (via consignment); shoes, Stuart Weitzman (via consignment); bag, Louis Vuitton (via consignment)
Pants, BR; sweater, Ralph Lauren (via consignment); shoes, Stuart Weitzman (via consignment); bag, Louis Vuitton (via consignment)

This Ralph Lauren Blue Label (fawncy!) sweater has sold me on the merits of cashmere. Italian cashmere at that, in this case. I mean, it wasn’t going to be an uphill battle or anything. Even though it’s sleeveless, this sweater is quite cozy even in our (mild) winter, so I’ve been wearing it lots.

close-up
close-up
vintage brooch via eBay
vintage brooch via eBay

With pants … which might be my fave combo …

check out mah bag
check out mah bag
grey on grey
grey on grey

… but also with skirts or, here, my ubiquitous grey tube dress. That thing is, as I’ve said before, the perfect blank canvas, but it’s clear that this peplum sweater is no slouch in the versatility department either.

Dress, Joe Fresh; shoes, J. Crew; bag, Gucci; necklace, Winners
Dress, Joe Fresh; shoes, J. Crew; bag, Gucci; necklace, Winners
more grey
more grey